Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) has emerged as a key player in the new GOP-led House, representing 1 of 18 Republicans elected in districts that President Biden won in 2020. Join The Post’s Leigh Ann Caldwell for a conversation with Bacon about his efforts to pursue a bipartisan debt ceiling deal and his pledge to be a “voice of common sense” in a divided government.
Rep. Don Bacon joins Washington Post Live on Wednesday, March 1. (Video: The Washington Post)
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Highlights
“I assume [Tucker Carlson] will probably air some of the footage, no doubt about that. I don’t really have a concern of it because we’ve seen a lot of other footage also released over the last two years. I would say we should just make this footage available to everybody though. To all the reporters or any other news agency that would like to dig into this. I think what you’re going to find is that Capitol police did not receive adequate supervision and command from their superiors … They were not well led. And I think that’ll be one of the findings you’ll get out of this.” - Rep. Don Bacon (R- Neb.) (Video: Washington Post Live)
“If we do nothing, social security and Medicare and Medicaid, alone, will add $19 trillion in new debt over the next 10 years. So, it’s really unsustainable … After the debt ceiling is raised … we’re dedicated to finding a bipartisan group, whether it’s a commission or a committee, that will commit themselves to finding solutions to the mandatory spending problem that we have.” - Rep. Don Bacon (R- Neb.) (Video: Washington Post Live)
“We do need to support Ukraine. Because if Ukraine falls it will hurt our national security interests in the long run. Putin cannot prevail here. If he does, Ukraine will not be the last countries he bullies." - Rep. Don Bacon (R- Neb.) (Video: Washington Post Live)
"I think it’s ridiculous. The whole topic is ridiculous. We’re Americans first. I do think that the vitriol and the partisanship is too much. I think it’s a threat to our country. This doesn’t help it though, saying you want a national divorce makes it even worse … It's going to take Republicans and Democrats working together to counter these huge threats facing our country. Having a national divorce, it's counterproductive. It just widens that divide, throws gas on the fire ... We fought a civil war to keep our country together … I disavow it." - Rep. Don Bacon (R- Neb.) (Video: Washington Post Live)
“[Ron DeSantis] did it in Florida, he won the independent vote, the swing votes significantly. So, he’s proven it in Florida. And he won a reelection at record levels in Florida and to me that’s something you can judge a person on how they will do at the presidential level … We need someone that can win reelection. Obviously, President Trump did not in 2020 and he lost my district very badly. I would very much consider Ron DeSantis. I think Nikki Haley has lots of promise … And there may be some others out there too that will stick their hand up soon, we’ll see.” - Rep. Don Bacon (R- Neb.) (Video: Washington Post Live)
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.)
